Metal blueprint/map drawers

[Richard Cranium]

I found one at a 2nd hand store cheap,(25.00) but the thing is huge, it is like 3 foot deep and 42inchs wide, but the drawers only come out about 3/4 of the way, 5 drawers if I remember right. It is needing repainting and a lube job on the rollers. I like it but it is so big. I am not sure where I could put it in my shop. Has any one ever cut one down front to back? Tell me more about these please....Thanks Richie
No I didn't take a pic, no camera with me today...Sorry

 

[Richard Cranium]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

75 people has looked but no one has one, any one , anyone

 

[bibman]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

Go get it! You will not find it again that cheap!

 

[sasquatch12]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

Not sure how much weight they are rated for only holding blue prints, but a guy here that makes jewelry keeps lots of small parts/ pieces in two or three of them.
Heard they are quite expensive new, so for $25.00 that's a deal.

 

[PowderKeg]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

I just moved the ratchet obsess...., er, collection, into two 5 drawer units (stacked) that are around 40" x 28" overall with 2" deep drawers. Unfortunately, there is a fair amount of wasted space since they don't come close to full opening, with @ 8" remaining covered by the drawer above. I've got 4 more either empty at the moment or used for storing various clamps, levels and tools that either won't fit or I don't want piled up in typical roll cabinet drawers. An idea I've considered but haven't gotten around to yet is to put a frame and casters under a stacked pair with a heavy wood top for a work surface. They cost me $50 each along with 3 base risers - IMHO a darn good deal considering the great condition they're in.

Years ago, I had a larger 4 drawer unit I kept under a work bench in the center of the room, maybe around 48"x36" cabinet size, but lost the room for it in one of many moves, so it went to a friend.

I sold a stack of three 5 drawer units larger than the ones I'm using for $400 a year or two ago - took maybe an hour on Craigslist after listing. Still have another stack of three to sell sometime, since I've decided to keep the smaller ones.

Unless it's beat all to **** and barely functional, $25 is cheap for the larger ones.

 

[jakemac]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

I agree with bibman. They do make those cabinets in less deep sizes for smaller size drafting paper, but they don't turn up often around here. In any event, as stated, you won't find one at that price for some time.

 

[rpenterics]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

I've seen a few on here utilized as toolboxes, drawers can hold a lot of weight (paper that size can get heavy quick). They sell for hundreds of dollars used around here. Never seen one cut down but they are are steal at $25, how can you go wrong?

 

[zkling]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

It's not time or work effective IMHO to try and shorten one. You would have to shorten the track on both the frame and the drawers and then weld the backs on to stiffen them up. I've been in the same boat, looked at a set ~54" wide, but ~45" front to back outside dimensions. The ammount of storage was awesome, but the depth and thus how far it would stick out from the wall was a killer for me. Not to mention how much room you would need additionally to open the drawers.

It can be done, and it would be pretty easy to do, just time consuming.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

Well I didn't buy the unit, I just couldn't find room to put it in my garage. I drove by today and it is gone, they sold it, so now at least I can stop eyeing it....Rich

 

[cheechi]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

My Map drawer (33"x45" is the footprint for the base) can hold a LOT of weight per drawer. I haven't modified it at all. These drawers aren't meant for a blueprint, but for stacks as tall as the drawer.

I have not tried to modify it in any way. Didn't see your thread until today sorry.

 

[usmc_noma]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

You should've bought it then made a large rolling table with it underneath. For the price it, I would've found a use for it.

 

[jweller]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

Not sure how much weight they are rated for only holding blue prints,

Think about how heavy a ream of paper is, now think about how heavy a drawer of them would be.

They will hold the weight just fine.

 

[theknurl]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

sasquatch12;

you folks need to look up the new price of a "D" size 10 drawer map case, different than a flat file

just the lid is $300+

a section is ~$6,000+ no BS $6,000+

the local library was going to toss 2, 10 drawer map case sections......yes, they delivered them too

my mother is a water colorist, she has 2 "D" sections and 2 wooden "C" sections.....they are full of paintings

my 3 "D" sections are in the same stack.....they're all 5 drawer sections

I need 2 sections on wheels in my garage they are perfect for project storage

Lyon cabinets are great for parts storage......got 180 drawers

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

sasquatch12;

you folks need to look up the new price of a "D" size 10 drawer map case, different than a flat file

just the lid is $300+

a section is ~$6,000+ no BS $6,000+

the local library was going to toss 2, 10 drawer map case sections......yes, they delivered them too

Yep. Also, that library was insane...plenty of others that would have taken it.

I have more than a couple of these in my office

 

[nine4gmc]

I used a flat file 5 drawer in the base of my custom lathe table, picked up another at auction but ended up selling it for lack of additional floor room. They are really heavy duty, you should have grabbed that one then figured out what to do with it, if nothing else make a few dollars...

 

[70C-10]

Re: Metal blue print/map drawers

Well I didn't buy the unit, I just couldn't find room to put it in my garage. I drove by today and it is gone, they sold it, so now at least I can stop eyeing it....Rich

If it makes you feel better I picked up 2 units for $50 each, 54"W x 46" D. I didn't have the space. Sold them to a friend to hold maps. A win win

 

[jerryW]

I've got three of them stacked, full of tools. Haven't hads any problem with them holding the weight yet.

Paid $75 each for the first 2, then found the third for $5 at a yard sale in the neighborhood.


jerry

 

[Outlawmws]

The depth requirement is the issue with these, but that's about the only issue...

The smaller ones don't have quite the depth issue. but without enough floor space your screwed.

Agree with the others however, for $25 you can't go wrong, even if you end up reselling!

9four's setup is good, and you can do a similar thing with old fashioned crafting boards, but you won't sit at them anymore, as you lose the leg room to do so.

I've got a "D" size stored in the new shed I got for $25 waiting for me to get at least one more to set it up. 5 drawers isn't worth the floor space for me and I don't have a bench to setup like 9's....

And yep, these will take 500 sheets of velum or blueprint paper, we used to have stacks of these where I used to work loaded with stock and we loaded them full. The bigger sizes of print paper or vellum were heavy, and the drawers would take two packages in each drawer.

 

[glenmore]

They are kinda deep so mine sits on a pair of Listas.

I just use it to store all manner of small stuff.